Plumb-bob



. UNlTEDsTATEs PA'I'ENT` oFF1cE.

RGBERT N. EASTERBRG AND HARRY J. VOLKWEIN, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

rLUMB-iaon.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1921.

Application .led August 7, 1919. ,i Serial No. 315,840.

To all whom it may concern: 4 Be it known that we, ROBERT N. EASTER- BERGvand HARRY J VoLxwEIN, citizens of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, 1n the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plumb-Bobs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to plumb bobs, and has for its obj ect to provide the plumb body, with means in a manner as hereinafter set forth, for automatically lwinding up the .hanger line within the plumb body when the device is not in use, and to further provide the plumb body with means for maink taining the hanger line extended from the plumb body at any length desired.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a plumb bob which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, eicient and convenient in its use, readily set up and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forthand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1, is an elevation of a plumb bob in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the plumb bob illustrating the hanger line secured from movement.

Fig. 3, is a top plan View of the plumb bob.

Fig. 4, is a vertical sectional view of the plumb bob and at right angles to Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail 1 denotes the plumb body, which is formed of metallic material, and has a weighted or heavy lower end 2. The body 1 is formed with a chamber or pocket 3, which is open at its top. Arranged within the chamber 3, is a frame or casing 4, having the upper end thereof provided with an opening 5.

Supported by the sides of the casing or frame 4l, is a shaft 6, carrying a spool 7, upon which winds and unwinds a hanger line 8. The shaft 6, has xed thereto a pinion 9,

which is engaged and operated by a gear 10, carried by a spring actuated operating or driving shaft 11. The spring which actuates the shaft 11, is indicated at 12, and which surrounds and has one end fixed or connected to the shaft 11, and has its other end attached to an inwardly extending stud on the casing at one side of one end of the spool 7. See Figs. 2 and 4.

Secured to the top of the plumb body 1, by the holdfast devices13, is a cap member 14, which is formed with a recess 15, which latter registers with the opening 5, and is conical in contour. Leading upwardl from the top of the recess 15 is a bore 16, aving intermediate its ends an enlarged offset portion 17. Intersecting the bore 16, as well as the offset 17, is a transversely extending groove 18, which is disposed at right angles to the direction in which the bore 16 extends.

Mounted in the groove 18, as well as frictionally engaging with the walls thereof, is a latch member 19, having a lug or finger piece 2O.` The latch member 19 is loosely mounted at one end on a pin 21, which is secured in the upper portion of the cap member 111 and extends across the groove 18, and said pin 21 acts as a means for pivotally connecting the latch member 19 to the cap member 14.

The hanger line 8 extends up through the recess 15 and out through the bore 16. Normally the hanger line 8 is wound up on the spool 7, the ring or finger piece 22, at the outer end of the line 8, prevents the latter from being entirely wound on the spool 7, within the plumb body 1. When the line 8 is drawn off the spool to any desired length it is maintained in such position by the latch member 19 which is shifted inwardly to bind a portion of the 'line 8, against the wall of the offset portion 17, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and which prevents the winding of the line on the spool 7. The frictional contact between the member 19 and the walls of the groove 18, maintains the member 19 in position, when in engagement with the line, to prevent the slippin of the line until the member 19 is move out of engaging position manually. When the line 8 is released by shifting the latch member 19 from engagement with the line, the spool 7 is then provided with a pocket, a frame mounted therein and having an opening in the top thereof, a hanger line Winding mechanism mounted in said frame and including aspool, a line adapted to Wind'on and unwlnd from said spool and extendin through said opening,' a cap member fixe 1y Secured tol the top of said body and Vhaving a central. recess in its lower portion registering with right angles to the offset portion of therbore said line extending through the recess an 15 bore, and a latch member pivotall connected with the cap member, mounte and frictonally held 1n said groove and adapted when-shifted inwardly to bind a portion of the line against the wall of the ose'ttopre- V20 vent` movement of-the line. Y Y

In testimony whereof we aix our signatures. l

ROBERT N; .EASTER-BERG. HARRY J.' voLKWnIN.v 

